Ionospheric effects of the Flixborough explosion

A re-analysis of the atmospheric and ionospheric effects of the Flixborough explosion

“…The principal features recorded are the large quasi-sinusoidal oscillations commencing just after 16:00 UT on all six records. Jones and Spracklen (1974) originally considered that it might be possible to estimate the magnitude of the pressure wave at its origin from their observations; to date, however, this has not been done. It is one purpose of the present study to do this.…”

“…And ÿnally, as the Flixborough explosion is used by the chemical industry as a major loss prevention case study, it is important to correct any mistakes in the historical record. (Jones and Spracklen, 1974) and (b) time variation of Doppler frequency shifts recorded at Blakehill (R2) (Jones, 2000).…”

“…Both sets of measurements also permitted an estimate of acoustic wave yield based upon a comparison to an earlier explosion. From this it was assumed (Jones and Spracklen, 1974). that the explosion yield was equivalent to 6 to 16 tons of Nitroglycerine (8.6 to 23 tons of TNT).…”

“…Ionospheric disturbances were observed by Jones and Spracklen (1974) using high-frequency radio Doppler sounding. In that work three transmitters, located at Gainsborough, Upwood and Sta ord, were operational.…”

“…Study and debate on this event continues to this day, (e.g., HHiset et al, 2000;Venart, 2000). In this paper we speciÿcally address the last two points as signiÿcant ionospheric observations were made by Jones and Spracklen (1974) that may permit some resolution of the issues.…”